An automatic pallet feeding device

Abstract

This utility model belongs to the field of frozen food production technology, and particularly relates to an automatic pallet feeding device. An automatic pallet feeding device includes a support frame, a workbench, a transmission mechanism, a pallet compartment, a support mechanism, and a suction mechanism. The transmission mechanism is a double conveyor belt structure. The pallet compartment is located above the transmission mechanism and includes an enclosing baffle and a limiting baffle fixedly connected to the lower end face of the enclosing baffle. The support mechanism has a support frame, and the pallet compartment is fixedly connected to the support frame. The suction mechanism includes a suction cylinder vertically fixedly connected to the workbench, a suction plate horizontally fixedly connected to the telescopic rod of the suction cylinder, and multiple vacuum nozzles fixedly connected to the suction plate. During the extension and retraction of the telescopic rod of the suction cylinder, the vacuum nozzles can drive the bottom pallet to be transferred from the pallet compartment to the conveyor belt of the transmission mechanism. This utility model has a simple structure and can realize automated batch pallet feeding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of quick-frozen food production technology, and in particular relates to an automatic tray feeding device. Background Technology

[0002] like Figure 9 As shown, it is an existing tray for holding frozen foods such as xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). It is made of elastic polyethylene (PE) material. The tray 1 includes a tray edge 11 for picking up and putting down, a tray body 12 disposed inside the tray edge 11, and a plurality of placement cavities 13 evenly distributed on the tray body 12. The inner diameter of the placement cavity 13 decreases from top to bottom to facilitate the stacking of multiple trays 1.

[0003] After the xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) are produced automatically, they need to be placed in the respective placement chambers 13 on the tray 1. Currently, the tray 1 is loaded manually, meaning that workers place the tray 1 one by one into the designated positions to manually place the xiaolongbao. This type of production process has technical problems such as high labor intensity and low production efficiency.

[0004] In existing technologies, robotic arms are used to load stacked pallets, but the following technical problems still exist: First, the overall equipment cost is relatively high. Second, when using robotic arms or linear modules in conjunction with vacuum nozzles to pick up and transfer the top pallet of the stack, it is generally necessary to keep the top pallet at the same height. This requires a lead screw transmission mechanism driven by a drive motor to be installed under the stacked pallets. For example, the Chinese utility model patent with authorization announcement number CN205852178U and patent name "Pallet Loading Mechanism," and the Chinese invention patent application with application number 202410476092.4 and patent name "An Automatic Loading Machine Integrating Picking and Placing" both adopt the above structure. This results in a relatively complex structure and limits the loading speed. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the technical problems existing in the prior art, this application provides an automatic pallet feeding device with a simple structure that can realize automated batch pallet feeding.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: An automatic pallet feeding device includes a support frame, a worktable fixedly connected to the upper end of the support frame, and further includes: Conveying mechanism: used to convey pallets, fixedly mounted on the workbench and consisting of a double conveyor belt structure; Pallet compartment: used to place stacked pallets, which is located above the conveying mechanism and includes an enclosing baffle and a limiting baffle fixedly connected to the lower end face of the enclosing baffle; Support mechanism: includes a support frame fixedly connected to the frame of the transmission mechanism, and the pallet compartment is fixedly connected to the support frame; Material suction mechanism: includes a material suction cylinder vertically fixedly connected to the workbench, a material suction plate horizontally fixedly connected to the telescopic rod of the material suction cylinder, and multiple vacuum nozzles fixedly connected to the material suction plate; During the extension and retraction of the telescopic rod of the suction cylinder, the vacuum nozzle can be driven to transfer the bottom pallet from the pallet compartment to the conveyor belt of the transmission mechanism.

[0007] Preferably, two positioning cylinders are fixedly connected to the support frames located on both sides of the pallet compartment, and a positioning plate is fixedly connected to the telescopic rod of each of the pushing cylinders. Under the drive of the positioning cylinders, the positioning plate can be inserted between the bottom pallet and the pallet adjacent to the bottom pallet.

[0008] Preferably, the transmission mechanism includes a frame that is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the workbench in parallel with each other, a main synchronous pulley and a driven synchronous pulley that are rotatably connected to the inner sides of both ends of each frame, and a conveyor belt that meshes with each set of main synchronous pulleys and driven synchronous pulleys. Each set of main synchronous pulleys and each set of driven synchronous pulleys are connected by a connecting shaft, and a drive motor drives the main synchronous pulleys to rotate.

[0009] Preferably, pusher plates are evenly distributed and fixedly connected to the upper end face of each conveyor belt, which can drive the pusher plates to push the tray forward when the conveyor belt rotates.

[0010] Preferably, the support frame includes a fixed plate horizontally fixedly connected to the frame of the transmission mechanism, a vertical plate vertically fixedly connected to the fixed plate and arranged along the length direction of the transmission mechanism, two side plates vertically fixedly connected to the outer end face of the vertical plate, and a support rod horizontally fixedly inserted in the two side plates, with the enclosing baffle fixedly connected to the support rod.

[0011] Preferably, a dual-axis locking block is fixedly connected to the support rod on the outer side of the two side plates, and the support rod is fixedly inserted into the dual-axis locking block; a fixing rod is horizontally fixedly connected to the outer end face of the enclosing baffle, and the two ends of the fixing rod are fixedly inserted into the corresponding dual-axis locking block.

[0012] Preferably, a single-axis locking block is fixedly connected to the outer end face of the enclosing baffle, and the fixing rod is fixedly inserted into the single-axis locking block.

[0013] Preferably, a locking handle one for locking the support rod and the fixing rod is provided on the dual-axis locking block, and a locking handle two for locking the fixing rod is provided on the single-axis locking block.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: 1. This utility model enables the stacking of pallets by setting up a pallet compartment. A support mechanism suspends and fixes the pallet compartment, allowing the vacuum nozzle of the suction mechanism to suck up the stacked pallets. Driven by a suction cylinder, the sucked pallets are placed on a conveying mechanism and transported forward. This utility model utilizes the elasticity and lightweight characteristics of frozen food pallets, designing a method for retrieving material from below the stacked pallets. This simple structure allows for rapid material retrieval and periodic forward transport via the conveying mechanism, thereby improving the efficiency of palletizing frozen foods.

[0015] 2. By setting up a positioning cylinder and a positioning plate, the positioning plate can be inserted between the bottom pallet and the pallet adjacent to the bottom pallet, which can support the stacked pallets above the bottom pallet, so that the vacuum nozzle can pick up the bottom pallet and remove the pallet from the bottom opening of the pallet compartment; by setting a pusher plate on the conveyor belt, the pallet is prevented from slipping on the conveyor belt, thereby improving the stability of pallet conveying by the conveyor belt.

[0016] 3. By setting up a support frame including a fixed plate, upright plate, side plate, support plate and double-axis locking block, and a pallet compartment including an enclosing baffle, a limiting baffle, a single-axis locking block and a fixing rod, the distance between the enclosing baffle and the limiting baffle can be easily adjusted to accommodate pallets of different sizes, and the gap between the inner end face of the enclosing baffle and the pallet can be adjusted to facilitate the vacuum nozzle to pick up materials from the pallet compartment. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the transmission mechanism of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the material suction mechanism of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the support frame and the pallet compartment of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A top-view structural diagram.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the support frame of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a partial structural diagram of the pallet compartment of this utility model.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a tray used for existing frozen food packaging.

[0026] In the diagram: 1. Tray, 11. Tray edge, 12. Tray body, 13. Placement cavity. 2. Supporting frame; 21. Workbench; 3. Conveying mechanism; 31. Frame; 32. Main synchronous pulley; 33. Slave synchronous pulley; 34. Conveyor belt; 35. Connecting shaft; 36. Drive motor; 37. Pusher plate. 4. Pallet compartment; 41. Enclosing baffle; 42. Limiting baffle; 421. Adjustment through hole; 43. Pallet temporary storage cavity; 44. Single-axis locking block; 441. Locking through hole two; 442. Locking through groove two; 443. Locking handle two; 45. Fixing rod. 5. Support mechanism; 51. Fixed plate; 52. Vertical plate; 53. Side plate; 54. Support rod; 55. Double-axis locking block; 551. Locking through hole one; 552. Locking through groove one; 553. Locking handle one. 6. Suction mechanism; 61. Suction cylinder; 62. Suction plate; 63. Vacuum nozzle; 64. Positioning cylinder; 65. Positioning plate. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0028] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. Example

[0029] See appendix Figure 1 , 2As shown, an automatic pallet feeding device includes a support frame 2, a workbench 21 horizontally fixedly connected to the upper end of the support frame 2, a transmission mechanism 3 for conveying pallets 1, a pallet bin 4 for placing stacked pallets 1, a support mechanism 5 for supporting the pallet bin 4, and a suction mechanism 6 for picking up the stacked pallets 1 in the pallet bin 4.

[0030] See Figure 3 As shown, the transmission mechanism 3 is fixedly mounted on the workbench 21 and has a double conveyor belt structure. Specifically, the transmission mechanism 3 includes a frame 31 that is parallel to each other and horizontally fixed to the upper surface of the workbench 21 by bolts; a main synchronous pulley 32 and a driven synchronous pulley 33 that are rotatably connected to the inner sides of both ends of each frame 31; and a conveyor belt 34 that meshes with each set of main synchronous pulleys 32 and driven synchronous pulleys 33, thus forming a double conveyor belt structure. A certain distance is provided between the two conveyor belts 34 to install the material handling mechanism 6. Each set of two main synchronous pulleys 32 and each set of two driven synchronous pulleys 33 are connected by connecting shafts 35. The two ends of the two connecting shafts 35 are fixedly connected to the corresponding two main synchronous pulleys 32 and driven synchronous pulleys 33, that is, the two main synchronous pulleys 32 and the connecting shafts 35 rotate synchronously. The drive motor 36 is fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the workbench 21, and its output shaft drives the main synchronous pulleys 32 to rotate through a coupling. The frame 41 is an existing profile structure. The structure and working principle of the transmission mechanism 3 described above are existing technologies. In this embodiment, to prevent the pallet 1 from slipping on the conveyor belt 34, pusher plates 37 are evenly and fixedly connected to the upper surface of each conveyor belt 34. When the conveyor belt 34 rotates, the pusher plates 37 can drive the pallet 1 forward. It should be noted that the distance between the two sets of pusher plates 37 and the number of pusher plates 37 can be adaptively adjusted according to the specific size of the pallet 1 and the conveying speed.

[0031] See Figure 5 , 6 As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the support mechanism 5 includes a support frame fixedly connected to the frame 31 of the transmission mechanism 3. There are two support frames arranged opposite each other, and the pallet compartment 4 is fixedly connected to the two support frames.

[0032] Specifically, the support frame 5 includes a fixed plate 51 that is horizontally fixed to the frame 31 of the transmission mechanism 3 by bolts along the length of the frame 31; a vertical plate 52 that is vertically fixed to the inner side of the fixed plate 51 by bolts and is arranged along the length of the transmission mechanism 3; two side plates 53 that are vertically fixed to the outer end face of the vertical plate 52 and the upper end face of the fixed plate 51; and two support rods 54 that are horizontally fixed and inserted into the two side plates 53.

[0033] A dual-axis locking block 55 is detachably and fixedly connected to each support rod 54 on the outer side of the two side plates 53. The support rod 54 is fixedly inserted into the dual-axis locking block 55. The dual-axis locking block 55 is an existing structure, such as an optical axis cross connecting block 1. That is, the connecting block 1 has locking through holes 551 with mutually perpendicular axes on its upper and lower ends. The upper and lower end faces of the connecting block 1 have locking through grooves 552 that connect to the corresponding locking through holes 551. The locking handle 553 can be rotatably inserted through the vertical end face of one side of the connecting block 1 and threaded into the inner wall of the locking through groove 552, thereby locking and fixing the rod-shaped object inserted in the locking through hole 551. In this embodiment, the upper locking through hole 551 can lock and fix the support rod 54 inserted therein.

[0034] See Figure 5 , 6 As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the pallet compartment 4 is positioned above the conveyor belt 34 of the transmission mechanism 3 and includes an enclosing baffle 41 and a limiting baffle 42 fixedly connected to the lower end face of the enclosing baffle 41.

[0035] Specifically, the enclosing baffles 41 have an L-shaped structure and are arranged in four sets, with the four sets of enclosing baffles 41 facing inward, thus forming the pallet storage cavity 43. Limiting baffles 42 are horizontally fixed to the lower end face of each set of enclosing baffles 41 by bolts, providing support for the stacked pallets 1. To adjust the length of the limiting baffles 42 extending into the pallet storage cavity 43, ensuring that the limiting baffles 42 effectively support the stacked pallets 1 while also allowing the pallet 1 at the bottom of the pallet storage cavity 43 to be easily removed from the exit formed by the limiting baffles 42, a waist-shaped adjustment through hole 421 is opened on each limiting baffle 42 facing inward towards the pallet storage cavity 43. Fastening bolts (not shown in the figure) pass through the adjustment through hole 421 and are threaded to the lower end face of the enclosing baffle 41.

[0036] To facilitate adjustment of the distance between the enclosing baffles 41 and thus the size of the pallet storage cavity 43 to accommodate pallets 1 of different sizes, a single-axis locking block 44 is bolted to the outer end face of the enclosing baffles 41 parallel to the side plate 53, in addition to the support rod 54 and the double-axis locking block 55. A fixing rod 45 is fixedly inserted into the single-axis locking block 44. The single-axis locking block 44 is similar to the double-axis locking block 55 and is also existing technology. The difference between the single-axis locking block 44 and the double-axis locking block 55 is that it can only fix a rod-shaped object in one direction. Specifically, it includes a horizontally arranged connecting block 2, on which a horizontal locking through hole 441 is opened. A locking through groove 442 communicating with the corresponding locking through hole 441 is horizontally opened on the outer vertical end face of the connecting block 2. A locking handle 443 is rotatably inserted through the upper end face of the connecting block 2 and screwed into the locking through groove 442. The groove is connected to the inner wall below the locking through slot 442, thereby locking and fixing the rod-shaped object passing through the locking through hole 441. In this embodiment, the locking through hole 441 can lock and fix the fixing rod 45 passing through it. There are two sets of single-axis locking blocks 44, and two corresponding fixing rods 45 are arranged vertically. The two ends of each fixing rod 45 are inserted into the locking through hole 551 below the double-axis locking block 55 and locked by the locking handle 553.

[0037] See Figure 4 As shown, the material suction mechanism 6 includes a suction cylinder 61 vertically fixed to the worktable 21 by bolts, a suction plate 62 horizontally fixed to the telescopic rod of the suction cylinder 61, and multiple vacuum nozzles 63 fixedly connected to the suction plate 62. The vacuum nozzles 63 are located inside the two conveyor belts 34 and below the stacked pallets 1. It should be noted that the suction cylinder 61 and the vacuum nozzles 63 also require matching solenoid valves, air sources, vacuum generators, etc., which are all existing technologies and will not be described in detail here.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, two positioning cylinders 64 are fixedly connected to the fixing plates 51 of the support frame located on both sides of the pallet compartment 4 by bolts. A positioning plate 65 is fixedly connected to the telescopic rod of each pushing cylinder 64. Under the drive of the positioning cylinder 64, the positioning plate 65 can be inserted between the bottom pallet 1 and the pallet 1 adjacent to the bottom pallet, that is, between the pallet sidewalls 11 of the two pallets 1. It can support the stacked pallets 1 above the bottom pallet 1 so that the vacuum nozzle 63 can adsorb the bottom pallet 1 and remove the pallet 1 from the lower opening of the pallet compartment 4.

[0039] The working principle and process of this embodiment are as follows: Install the components as described above. Then, manually or using automated equipment such as a robotic arm, place the stacked pallets 1 into the pallet storage cavity 43. Due to the limiting and supporting effect of the limiting baffle 42, the pallets 1 are confined within the pallet storage cavity 43. The telescopic rod of the positioning cylinder 64 extends to drive the positioning plate 65 to be inserted between the bottom pallet 1 and the pallet 1 adjacent to the bottom pallet, supporting the stacked pallets 1 above the bottom pallet 1. The telescopic rod of the suction cylinder 61 extends to drive the vacuum nozzle 63 to move upwards to abut against the lower end face of the bottom pallet 1. After the vacuum nozzle 63 adsorbs the bottom pallet 1, the suction cylinder 61... The telescopic rod retracts to move the vacuum nozzle 63 and the bottom tray 1 downwards, causing the bottom tray 1 to fall from the outlet formed by the limiting baffle 42 after elastic bending onto the two conveyor belts 34. At the same time, the telescopic rod of the positioning cylinder 64 retracts, and the stacked tray 1 falls back onto the limiting baffle 42. The drive motor 36 drives the conveyor belt 34 to rotate, and the conveyor belt 34 drives the pusher plate 37 to move forward, pushing the tray 1 that has fallen onto the conveyor belt 34 forward. By repeating the above process, continuous automatic feeding of the stacked trays 1 can be achieved until the trays 1 in the tray storage cavity 43 are emptied. It should be noted that this embodiment also includes an existing controller, which connects to and controls the drive motor 36, the suction cylinder 61, the vacuum nozzle 63, the positioning cylinder 64, and other components. The controller and its connection method and working principle are all existing technologies, as long as they can meet the above working process, they are acceptable and will not be described in detail here.

[0040] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automatic pallet feeding device, comprising a support frame and a worktable fixedly connected to the upper end of the support frame, characterized in that: Also includes: Conveying mechanism: used to convey pallets, fixedly mounted on the workbench and consisting of a double conveyor belt structure; Pallet compartment: used to place stacked pallets, which is located above the conveying mechanism and includes an enclosing baffle and a limiting baffle fixedly connected to the lower end face of the enclosing baffle; Support mechanism: includes a support frame fixedly connected to the frame of the transmission mechanism, and the pallet compartment is fixedly connected to the support frame; Material suction mechanism: includes a material suction cylinder vertically fixedly connected to the workbench, a material suction plate horizontally fixedly connected to the telescopic rod of the material suction cylinder, and multiple vacuum nozzles fixedly connected to the material suction plate; During the extension and retraction of the telescopic rod of the suction cylinder, the vacuum nozzle can be driven to transfer the bottom pallet from the pallet compartment to the conveyor belt of the transmission mechanism.

2. The automatic pallet feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two positioning cylinders are fixedly connected to the support frames located on both sides of the pallet compartment. A positioning plate is fixedly connected to the telescopic rod of each positioning cylinder. Under the drive of the positioning cylinder, the positioning plate can be inserted between the bottom pallet and the pallet adjacent to the bottom pallet.

3. The automatic pallet feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission mechanism includes a frame that is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the workbench in parallel with each other, a main synchronous pulley and a driven synchronous pulley that are rotatably connected to the inner sides of both ends of each frame, and a conveyor belt that meshes with each set of main synchronous pulleys and driven synchronous pulleys. Each set of main synchronous pulleys and each set of driven synchronous pulleys are connected by a connecting shaft, and a drive motor drives the main synchronous pulleys to rotate.

4. The automatic pallet feeding device according to claim 3, characterized in that: Pusher plates are evenly distributed and fixedly connected to the upper end face of each conveyor belt. When the conveyor belt rotates, the pusher plates can drive the trays forward.

5. The automatic pallet feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support frame includes a fixed plate horizontally fixedly connected to the frame of the transmission mechanism, a vertical plate vertically fixedly connected to the fixed plate and arranged along the length direction of the transmission mechanism, two side plates vertically fixedly connected to the outer end face of the vertical plate, and a support rod horizontally fixedly inserted in the two side plates. The enclosing baffle is fixedly connected to the support rod.

6. The automatic pallet feeding device according to claim 5, characterized in that: A double-axis locking block is fixedly connected to the support rod on the outer side of the two side plates, and the support rod is fixedly inserted into the double-axis locking block; a fixing rod is horizontally fixedly connected to the outer end face of the enclosing baffle, and the two ends of the fixing rod are fixedly inserted into the corresponding double-axis locking block.

7. The automatic pallet feeding device according to claim 6, characterized in that: A single-axis locking block is fixedly connected to the outer end face of the enclosing baffle, and the fixing rod is fixedly inserted into the single-axis locking block.

8. The automatic pallet feeding device according to claim 7, characterized in that: A locking handle one for locking the support rod and the fixing rod is provided on the dual-axis locking block, and a locking handle two for locking the fixing rod is provided on the single-axis locking block.

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